Mockingbird Hill Cottage

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You are here: Home / Don / Errands, Treasures & Maybe a Primal Scream

Errands, Treasures & Maybe a Primal Scream

April 19, 2018 at 10:08 am by Claudia

Yesterday: I went to the dump, recycled boxes from the cable company, drove to the cable company and turned in three pieces of equipment, ran errands at Lowes and Target, came home, vacuumed, and then had dinner with Rick and Doug.

A rather efficient day for someone who has been feeling not-at-all-efficient lately.

Today: Frosty precipitation on the ground, freezing temps overnight and it’s April 19th. Every conversation I have with a fellow resident of the Hudson Valley revolves around “When the heck is Spring coming?” I don’t remember it taking this long. We might be three weeks behind rather than two weeks.

So frustrating!

Valiantly trying to open despite the freezing temperatures.

In my never-ending quest to find more pieces of that antique red transferware plate, I frequently walk through the part of the corral where I found them. No red transferware as of yet, but I did find this pottery shard yesterday:

It has moved to my little found treasure dish.

The seashells were obviously found elsewhere, but the green cup handle, the old hose nozzle, pieces of pottery, robin’s egg shell, pod and feather were found on the property. This is actually a lovely brown aesthetic transferware plate, but I’ve covered up most of the design!

Rick and Doug are in that wonderful first stage of home ownership where they have no idea what was planted where on the property and they’re discovering crocus and lots of daffodils and all kinds of early bulbs. Each new season brings new wonders.

Don has started an Escape to Margaritaville Ukulele Orchestra. Everyone who has signed up will procure a ukulele and Don’s teaching them chords and they’ll eventually play together – maybe even a flash mob kind of thing.

He’s so darned cute, that guy. They’re on Instagram: @e2mukuleleorchestra.

If you have a hankering to learn some chords, Don and fellow cast member Matt have provided some videos to help you.

And that’s all for today. Rainy, cold, blah, blah, blah. I am about ready to do a primal scream.

Happy Thursday.

Filed Under: Don, flowers, friends, pottery 49 Comments

Comments

  1. Debbie Price says

    April 19, 2018 at 10:28 am

    Just followed the Uke players! Oh they are adorable! Maybe Laura will let me borrow hers. Yes, my Laura is a ukulele player and loves it!
    Glad you had dinner with Rick and Doug and got out yesterday. This winter has really brought on cabin fever, hasn’t it?
    Hope you have a wonderful day!

    Reply
    • Claudia says

      April 19, 2018 at 11:29 am

      Cabin fever to the max, Debbie!

      Reply
  2. Carolyn Marie says

    April 19, 2018 at 10:38 am

    I join you in the scream. After a weekend blizzard we still have over a foot of snow on the ground. I can’t take it anymore! Most years my lawn is raked by this time and much of the garden clean up done. Typically I have pansies in pots and am purchasing plants to harden off before planting. Enough whining. I know that you understand.

    Reply
    • Claudia says

      April 19, 2018 at 11:29 am

      Oh, I’m so sorry – just seeing snow at this point is so disheartening!

      Reply
  3. Linda @ A La Carte says

    April 19, 2018 at 10:41 am

    This weather is crazy. I can’t tell if I need a coat or short sleeves lately. It is so up and down. Things are blooming here in the South but then the cold comes back. I kept Scout yesterday as she had bumped her mouth and needed a quick trip to the Pediatric Dentist to make sure all was well. Her Mom dropped her off after and we had some fun play time. Today is laundry and pick up the house. IF I get some photos taken and edited I’m going to do a blog post about all that April has brought! Go ahead and scream, hugs!!

    Reply
    • Claudia says

      April 19, 2018 at 11:30 am

      It’s insane. And I just might scream!

      Reply
  4. Melanie says

    April 19, 2018 at 10:42 am

    I was screaming (internally) all the way up until today: Finally some sunshine and promise of warmer temps! It even snowed overnight here. Since you’re usually a day behind us with the weather, I bet this sunshine is coming your way tomorrow. Hang in there!

    Reply
    • Claudia says

      April 19, 2018 at 11:30 am

      We have sun coming for sure on Saturday. Cannot wait, Melanie. Glad you have some today!

      Reply
  5. shanna says

    April 19, 2018 at 10:42 am

    I love the uke orchestra idea. Will be checking it out on instagram. I dug out my old Fluke uke to see if I remembered any chords from my childhood and discovered that it will need some work to get it in playing order!

    This weather is so annoying, even here in FL! I’m feeling anxious today after watching a Bill Nye thing on PBS last night. I knew, of course that some people are still denying climate change, but this show alerted me to a whole movement (big money included) devoted to denying science of any kind! Teaching their children lies and “facts” that can’t be proven, as if science were a belief rather than a reality! So upsetting.

    Think I’ll go work on that uke.

    Reply
    • Claudia says

      April 19, 2018 at 11:30 am

      It’s appalling. All based on ignorance and fear – and oil, no doubt.

      Reply
      • shanna says

        April 19, 2018 at 12:19 pm

        And religion, as if believing in science cancels your belief in a higher power. For them, it’s one or the other, it seems. Small minds, big problem.

        Reply
        • Claudia says

          April 19, 2018 at 12:22 pm

          They deal in black and white – no shades of gray. Small minds, indeed.

          Reply
  6. Susie Stevens says

    April 19, 2018 at 11:01 am

    Claudia, You made me smile with your dish of found treasures. I love that idea. Glad you had time with your friends. It’s been a truly tough winter. I think that would be awesome if Don had a flash mob of ukuleles. So fun. Blessings to you, I think it’s starting change into spring here. xoxo, Susie

    Reply
    • Claudia says

      April 19, 2018 at 11:31 am

      So glad you’re seeing signs of spring, Susie. xo

      Reply
  7. Donnamae says

    April 19, 2018 at 11:29 am

    Yes…it is April 19…we have 7.5 inches of new snow…(it is beautiful)….and freezing fog coming tonight…oh goody. I am screaming internally, too. Your daffodils, however give me hope for a warmer future.

    Dinner with friends was probably just the pick me up you needed. Love that dish of found treasures. When we travel, I’m always picking up stones…small driftwood…unless it’s prohibited. But I’ve never found any treasures at our place. Course, our little slice of heaven used to be a pig farm, so I don’t know if I’d want to find anything.

    That Don of yours is sure inventive….a ukulele orchestra….fantastic! Enjoy your day…it will get better, I trust! ;)

    Reply
    • Claudia says

      April 19, 2018 at 11:32 am

      I’m counting on it, Donnamae.

      And that Don is completely adorable. Plus, this gives him something to work on when he’s not performing and that’s a good thing.

      Reply
  8. Chris K in Wisconsin says

    April 19, 2018 at 12:01 pm

    We must be a bit north of Donnamae as we had nearly 9 inches yesterday. Supposed to be 60* by Monday. Seeing will be believing at this point. There are so very many of us screaming right now.

    A ukulele flash mob!! Now THAT would be amazing!

    Reply
    • Claudia says

      April 19, 2018 at 12:06 pm

      How about a Primal Scream Flash Mob?

      Reply
      • Chris K in Wisconsin says

        April 19, 2018 at 12:08 pm

        Now there’s an idea!!!!

        Reply
        • Claudia says

          April 19, 2018 at 12:21 pm

          xo

          Reply
      • Nancy Blue Moon says

        April 19, 2018 at 6:16 pm

        I’m in Claudia! lol

        Reply
        • Claudia says

          April 19, 2018 at 6:48 pm

          xo

          Reply
        • kathy in iowa says

          April 19, 2018 at 6:58 pm

          me, too!

          kathy in iowa

          Reply
  9. Audrey Johnson says

    April 19, 2018 at 12:08 pm

    I love your little found collection. What a neat thing to do on your property or in your neighborhood.

    Reply
    • Claudia says

      April 19, 2018 at 12:21 pm

      Thank you, Audrey!

      Reply
  10. jan says

    April 19, 2018 at 12:57 pm

    a ukulele flash mob!!! I would love to see that!!! The orchestra sounds good too. I am amazed he has the energy!!

    Reply
    • Claudia says

      April 19, 2018 at 2:09 pm

      I am, too!

      Reply
  11. tammy j says

    April 19, 2018 at 1:19 pm

    hold your breath and cross your toes! we’re told our whole state might get some rain Saturday!
    finally a stop to the fires. (if it rains). they’re better than they were but wind still flares them up all overagain.
    over 30,000 cattle have lost their lives to it. devastating for them. horrible in the extreme.
    and i suppose for all the people who eat steak and hamburgers. which i don’t. but it will no doubt affect the market all over the country. might be a good time for people to consider vegetarianism.
    off now to the adorable and wonderful ukulele orchestra!!! i’d love to get one!
    not an orchestra. a uke! LOL. xo

    Reply
    • Claudia says

      April 19, 2018 at 2:10 pm

      Wouldn’t that be a good thing? Then the cows and goats and sheep that are living beings wouldn’t be killed and eaten.

      Yay for a uke, Tammy!

      Reply
      • tammy j says

        April 19, 2018 at 3:14 pm

        YES! you’re so right!
        and it’s so easy today. if they miss meat there are wonderful products that are safe and that amazingly taste like a hotdog or a burger or chicken!
        it’s come so far from what it used to be. the internet is wonderful for delicious recipes!
        there’s not much reason to not at least give it a try! I’ve been vegan now for two months. (from vegetarian) and I thought I could NEVER give up cheese!!! I absolutely loved it!
        my arteries and heart however did NOT. but the Daiya shredded cheddar cheese is amazing. and there are other popular brands too. these kids (LOL people in their 20’s and 30’s) have websites where they shop the different brands and tell you what tastes good and what is BAD! that’s been tremendously helpful. and it’s kind of exciting to me now!
        ok. this has turned into a post all in itself. can you tell I’m passionate about it?
        good grief Charlie Brown! xo (p.s.) the best brand of almond milk I’ve found that tastes so much like regular milk is Target’s brand … Simply Balanced Almond Milk Original.
        they make a sweetened one and one with vanilla. but the original I find delicious!
        ok. over and out.

        Reply
        • Claudia says

          April 19, 2018 at 6:50 pm

          I know. When I first became a vegetarian in the mid-eighties, there was nothing! Nothing! Now, there are so many great meat substitutes and so many foodies who specialize in vegan cooking. Thank goodness!

          Reply
  12. Wendy T says

    April 19, 2018 at 1:58 pm

    scream scream scream…Spring will eventually Spring for you, Claudia. Hurray for all the things you got done. I’m going through the house sorting, cleaning, clearing. There’s an e-waste recycling event this weekend and I want to bring a couple of TVs and a box of misc cords and plugs for them to recycle. Don has the greatest ideas, and most importantly, puts them into action. What a fun thing to do during off-times! Uke flash mob, I love it.

    Reply
    • Claudia says

      April 19, 2018 at 2:11 pm

      I’m sorting through things today and trying to stay sane!

      Reply
  13. Vicki says

    April 19, 2018 at 2:05 pm

    I wish for you a warm, sunny day…SOON!!

    Reply
    • Claudia says

      April 19, 2018 at 2:11 pm

      Me too. I’m sort of at the end of my rope, but I know others have it much worse – with lots of snow on the ground.

      Reply
  14. Kay says

    April 19, 2018 at 3:37 pm

    Your daffodils are looking good. I think we’re officially a month behind now with Spring. Your “found objects” dish is great. I grew up digging in the dirt for treasures with my brothers. Always wanted to be an archaeologist for that reason but life went another direction. Good for Don starting the uke group. My sons got me a ukulele for my birthday last year and our youngest, a musician, is teaching me chords. One of my retirement goals, besides making it happen this year, is to then join one of those “grandma” ukulele-playing groups. My son keeps telling me I need to cut my fingernails shorter though.

    Reply
    • Claudia says

      April 19, 2018 at 6:51 pm

      Don keeps trying to get me to play, he even sent me home with his smaller uke. I think I’d better get on it!

      Reply
  15. Dori says

    April 19, 2018 at 3:49 pm

    Love the dish of found treasures! We were in NYC for spring break in early March and went to see “Escape to Margaritaville”. Oh my goodness, we absolutely loved the show, even our 16 year old daughter loved it! Of course, I pretended I knew Don, but had to explain that I really didn’t. Lol

    Reply
    • Claudia says

      April 19, 2018 at 6:51 pm

      Oh, I’m so happy you saw it, Dori! It’s a lot of fun, isn’t it?

      Reply
  16. Nancy Blue Moon says

    April 19, 2018 at 6:32 pm

    The uke band is such a fun idea…I did go to see them online…how much fun they are having!!…In the 70s, sunny and beautiful blue sky here yesterday…today…cold, rainy, dreary, cloudy, snow flurries… I am starting to think that Mother Earth is attempting to torture us…and she is succeeding quite well…I’m ready to do that primal scream with you Claudia…lol…

    Reply
    • Claudia says

      April 19, 2018 at 6:49 pm

      It’s crazy. I just want slightly warmer temps and SUN!

      Reply
  17. Alice Noriega says

    April 19, 2018 at 6:43 pm

    Hi Claudia. Two of my friends are going to New York next month. When we were discussing their itinerary, I discovered they have tickets for Margaritaville! I bestowed all my knowledge gained via your blog……☺️…..they’re so excited.

    Reply
    • Claudia says

      April 19, 2018 at 6:49 pm

      Oh, wonderful! Tell them I said to have a great time!

      Reply
  18. kathy in iowa says

    April 19, 2018 at 7:07 pm

    love that dish of found treasures … and the daffodils are beautiful, too!

    don’s uke group sounds like so much fun!!!

    and you’re due credit, too, for a busy day that sounds more than just “rather efficient”! :) hope you have a peaceful, easy night.

    it’s chilly here, but sunny all day. :) sun is on the way to you!

    kathy in iowa

    Reply
    • Claudia says

      April 19, 2018 at 9:42 pm

      I hope so! We’re more than ready for some sun!

      Reply
  19. Marilyn says

    April 19, 2018 at 7:53 pm

    We had a lot of rain but fortunately no sleet or rain. The grass is getting tall, will be hauling the mower out soon if that rain keeps falling.
    Marilyn

    Reply
    • Claudia says

      April 19, 2018 at 9:43 pm

      I’d love to have to mow the lawn!

      Reply
  20. Karen Milano says

    April 20, 2018 at 8:04 am

    I scream, you scream, we all scream for Spring GREEN!!.. But wait.. what is that I see out there this morning? I believe it is.. could it be?.. the SUN.

    *sigh.

    Still in the 30’s here in Connecticut… BLEH!.

    Reply
    • Claudia says

      April 20, 2018 at 9:39 am

      The sun indeed! But it’s still pretty nippy out there. Better temps are coming on the weekend.

      Reply
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I live in a little cottage in the country with my husband. It's a sweet place, sheltered by old trees and surrounded by gardens. The inside is full of the things we love. I love to write, I love my camera, I love creating, I love gardening. My decorating style is eclectic; full of vintage and a bit of whimsy.

I've worked in the theater for more years than I can count. I'm currently a voice, speech, dialect and text coach freelancing on Broadway, off Broadway, and in regional theater.

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